v>EPA
                                 United States
                                 Environmental Protection
                                 Agency
                                 Industrial Environmental Research
                                 Laboratory
                                 Research Triangle Park NC 27711
                                 Research and Development
                                 EPA-600/S8-81 -024  Oct. 1982
Project  Summary
                                 IERL-RTP Procedures Manual
                                 Level 1  Environmental
                                 Assessment,  Biological  Tests
                                 D. J. Brusick and R. R. Young
                                   This document is the second edition
                                 of the IERL-RTP Procedures Manual:
                                 Level 1 Environmental Assessment,
                                 Biological Tests for Pilot Studies. The
                                 first edition, prepared by Battelle-
                                 Columbus Laboratories, was published
                                 in 1977 (EPA-600/7-77-043).
                                   This manual outlines the rationale
                                 and proposed methods for performing
                                 Level 1  health effects and ecological
                                 effects bioassays. The spectra of test
                                 methods contained within both the
                                 preceding categories  were changed
                                 somewhat from the first edition. Tests
                                 such as the WI-38 cell toxicity assay
                                 were dropped and other tests (such as
                                 those for insect toxicity, plant root
                                 elongation, and bioaccumulation)
                                 were added. These changes were
                                 instituted to give a more comprehen-
                                 sive testing program.
                                   In addition  to those changes in
                                 recommended tests, the second edition
                                 includes new sections on sample
                                 collection and processing documenta-
                                 tion, data evaluation and interpreta-
                                 tion, and quality control/quality
                                 assurance procedures.
                                   This Project Summary was devel-
                                 oped by EPA's Industrial Environ-
                                 mental Research Laboratory. Research
                                 Triangle Park, NC, to announce key
                                 findings of the research project that is
                                 fully documented in a separate report
                                 of the same title (see Project Report
                                 ordering information at back).

                                 Introduction
                                   This bioassay procedures manual is a
                                 guide for studies to be conducted by the
                                 Industrial Environmental Research
                                 Laboratory of the Environmental Pro-
                                 tection Agency (EPA), Research Tri-
                                 angle Park, North Carolina. The manual
                                 is a revision of and supersedes the
                                 "IERL-RTP Procedures Manual: Level 1
                                 Environmental Assessment, Biological
                                 Tests For Pilot Studies," published in
                                 April 19771.
                                   The bioassay procedures in this
                                 manual complement the chemical and
                                 physical  procedures of the  Level  1
                                 environmental assessment program and
                                 are an integral part of a comprehensive
                                 source assessment strategy. The biolog-
                                 ical testing manual  complements the
                                 IERL-RTP Level 1 chemical and physical
                                 procedures manual2. The  purpose of
                                 Level 1 is to obtain preliminary informa-
                                 tion, identify problem areas, and provide
                                 the basis for the ranking of streams for
                                 further consideration in the overall
                                 environmental assessment. The recom-
                                 mended biotests for testing the toxicity
                                 and  mutagenicity of feed  and waste
                                 streams of  industrial processes are
                                 each described with a brief summary of
                                 procedures for collecting and preparing
                                 the samples to be tested.
                                   Chapter 1  of the manual defines the
                                 goals and strategy employed in Level 1
                                 testing and gives the background and
                                 philosophy of the phased approach to
                                 environmental assessment.
                                   Chapter 2 discusses the  Level  1
                                 sampling activities and pretest-han-
                                 dling procedures that can be used for
                                 most industrial complexes. For each
                                 sample type, the discussion focuses on
                                 the general problem as well as specific

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problems of preparation  needed for
sampling, the actual sampling proce-
dures,  and  packaging of samples for
shipment.
  Chapters  3 through 5  specify the
Level 1  health effects, aquatic, and
terrestrial  bioassay schemes. The
schemes identify the methods of anal-
yses,  anticipated  output and level of
effort required for implementation, and
the basic format for presenting the
results of the tests.
  Chapter 6 describes the data manage-
ment, including data summary forms
and an approach to consolidated toxicity
assessment for multitest data for health
and ecological effects.
  Chapter 7  outlines the recommended
quality control, quality assurance, and
documentation procedures necessary
to verify the  quality of the assays.
  Chapter 8 briefly discusses testing
beyond that  defined as Level 1.

Definition of Level 1
Environmental Assessment
Testing
  Physical and chemical  character-
ization  of environmental emissions is
critical to the definition of, need for, and
design of control technology. However,
the final objective of lERL-RTP's environ-
ment assessment is the control  of
industrial  emissions to meet environ-
mental goals that limit the release of
substances that cause harmful human
health  or ecological effects. Conse-
quently, the  testing of industrial  feed
and waste streams for biological effects
is needed as a  complement to the
physical and chemical data to ensure
that the assessment is comprehensive.
Biological testing  can provide a direct
measure  of  the toxicity and/or muta-
genicity of substances to organisms that
chemical analysis cannot. This is
especially important when dealing with
substances  for which  there is  little
available  data on toxicity  or when
assessing complex  mixtures where
synergisms and antagonisms may alter
the  toxicity of the individual chemical
constituents.
  It should be stressed that the results of
Level 1  tests are  not  intended for
regulatory actions or recommendations,
nor are they  to  be  used  as tests of
acceptability or  non-acceptability of
emission  release. The three-phased
sampling and testing strategy was
developed to focus available  resources
(both manpower and dollars) on indus-
trial emissions which  have  a  high
potential for  causing measurable health
or ecological effects and for providing
chemical and biological information on
all sources of industrial emissions.

Classification of Streams For
Sampling  Purposes
  Comprehensive assessments are
organized around the five general types
of samples  found in  industrial  and
energy-producing processes, rather
than around the analytical procedures
that are required to collect the samples.
  The five sample types are:

  (1) Gas/Vapor (Non-particulate laden)
     — These  include samples  from
     process streams,  vents, and ef-
     fluents. Samples contain inorgan-
     ic and organic  gaseous compo-
     nents.
  (2) Gaseous  Streams (Particulate or
     aerosol laden) — These  involve
     sampling  contained  air  or gas
     streams  such  as in ducts or
     stacks. Samples include particu-
     lates and higher molecular weight
     organics with boiling points higher
     than 100°C.
  (3) Liquid/Slurry Streams — Liquid
     streams  are defined as  those
     containing less than  5 percent
     solids. Slurry streams are defined
     as those containing greater than 5
     percent solids.  Liquid  or  slurry
     streams are classified as aqueous
     or nonaqueous.  A stream sample
     that contains  more than  0.2
     percent organics is  considered
     nonaqueous.
  (4) Solids — These include a broad
     range of material sizes (from large
     lumps to powders and  dusts) as
     well as nonflowing wet  pastes.
     Nonflowing wet pastes  may be
     formed by wetting solids either
     with aqueous  or nonaqueous
     liquids, or they may be highly
     viscous liquids such as some tars
     or oils. The  distinction between
     solids and slurries can become
     blurred.
  (5) Fugitive Emissions — These are
     transmitted  to the environment
     without first passing through some
     stack,  duct, pipe,  or channel
     designed to direct or control their
     flow. They may be in any of the
     above  physical forms  and may
     result from  nonducted gaseous,
     particulate,  or liquid emissions
     from the overall plant or process
     units.
  A flow diagram, showing the overall
relationship of the samples to the Level
1 analysis scheme, is presented in
Figure 1.
  The types of samples obtained from
the procedures outlined in Figure 1 are
usually mixtures and present problems
for  biological test  systems that have
been developed and validated primarily
with pure chemicals. Table 1  summa-
rizes  the  characteristics of samples
collected from various sources.
  All Level 1 bioassays are not suitable
for  the entire range of sample types
obtained from industrial sources. Cer-
tain tests, for example, provide reliable
results with solid  samples that are
soluble in organic solvent carriers, but
may not be reliable if used to evaluate a
gas or slurry. In other situations, the
amount of sample required for applicable
bioassays is too large to permit the tests
to be performed on the available sample
(such as with SASS* samples).
  Suitability of test systems for specific
samples must be judged on an individua
basis; but, as shown in Table 2, sorm
generalizations  and recommendation!
can be made with respect to bioassay/
test sample compatibility.

Level 1  Health Effects
Bioassays
  The Level 1  health effects  tesi
include assays for determining toxici
and mutagenicity  at several  levels
organisms ranging in  complexity fro
bacteria to mammalian cells in cultui
(both permanent cell lines and prima
cells) to intact animals. Table 3 describi
the  biological  characteristics of tt
target organisms in this group of tesi
The tests  are able to detect molecul
changes such as DNA mutation (Am
test), acute cell  toxicity (RAM and Ch
tests), and complex toxicological r
sponses in intact animals (WAT test)
  Health effects bioassays are used
determine the  concentration of te
material that produces either a defin
mutagenic or toxic effect on the t<
organisms in a short period of time. T
Ames Salmonella/'microsome  mu
genesis assay  (Ames) identifies t
minimum effective concentration (Mi
of a test sample that produces signific<
mutagenesis in any of four tester stra
of Salmonella typhimurium used.
  The rabbit alveolar macropha
(RAM) assay measures four endpoi
relating to cell  death  and  metabi
impairment, following  20 hours
 * Source Assessment Sampling System, devel
  by EPA (IERL-RTP) and manufactured by /
  therm Corporation, Mountain View, CA 94C

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                                                    Sample for biological analysis
             Gases and suspended
               paniculate matter
                                  Sorbent
                                   resins
                                                                 1
                                              Liquids
                                                                    Solids
                            Aqueous t  0.2%]
                                 organic^    I
                               \Organic
                With suspended
                     solids
                                                                                                                  f
                                  Extract
                               concentrate
                               and solvent
                                 exchange
                              Concentrate
                              for microbial
                               and rodent
                                  tests
                                Solvent
                               exchange
                                extracts
   Plant stress
    ethylene
• Microbial
  mutagenesis
• RAM
  cytotoxicity
• CHO
  cytotoxicity
• Insect
  toxicity
• Microbial
  mutagenesis
• CHO
  cytotoxicity
• Insect
  toxicity
  Microbial mutagenesis
• CHO cytotoxicity
  Rodent acute toxicity
  Aquatic toxicity*
  Root elongation
• Insect toxicity
  Microbial mutagenesis
  RAM cytotoxicity
  CHO cytotoxicity
• Rodent acute toxicity
• Aquatic toxicity*
  Insect toxicity
                                                                                                                  cu

                                                                                                                  Sj'
                        * Aquatic tests include freshwater or marine fish, invertebrate, and algal tests.
 Figure 1.  Biological analysis overview.
continuous exposure.  The effective
concentration  of toxicant that reduces
each  parameter to 50 percent of the
control (ECso) is calculated. The ECso is
also estimated in the rodent cell (CHO)
clonal toxicity assay based  on  the
reduction in colony-forming ability of
the cells following 24 hours of continu-
ous exposure. Mortality and  physio-
logical observations are  recorded in
both  the quanta! and quantitative
phases of  the acute in  vivo test in
rodents (whole animal test, WAT). For
samples exhibiting  toxicity in  the
quanta! phase, the dose  lethal to 50
percent of  the animals (LDso)  is cal-
culated. Additional health  effects end-
points may be measured  in  modified
versions of the CHO toxicity test.
  Results from Level  1  health effects
tests are interpreted by using evaluation
criteria  unique to  each  test. Test
samples are ranked according to relative
mutagenicity  or toxicity using  guide-
lines presented in the results and data
interpretation section for each test.
                        Level 1 Aquatic Ecological
                        Effects Assays
                          Biological responses and bioaccumu-
                        lation must be considered, as  well as
                        chemical and physical parameters,
                        when assessing the potential impact of
                        complex wastes on the aquatic environ-
                        ment.  Biological testing  for aquatic
                        ecological effects usually consists of
                        static acute  toxicity tests  on selected
                        organisms representative of the various
                        trophic levels. The bioaccumulation of
                        components in  complex  mixtures is
                        evaluated using a laboratory technique
                        for simulating bioaccumulation phenom-
                        mena.
                          Acute toxicity tests are used to deter-
                        mine the concentration of test material
                        that produces an adverse effect on a
                        specified percentage of the test organ-
                        isms in a short period of time. Because
                        mortality is normally an easily detected
                        and an obviously important adverse
                        effect, the most common acute  toxicity
                        test is the acute lethality test. The index
                                                   most often used with fish is the 96-hour
                                                   median  lethal  concentration (96-hour
                                                   LDso),  and for  macroinvertebrates, the
                                                   48-hour effective concentration (48-
                                                   hour ECso). The  LCso is a statistically
                                                   derived estimate of the concentration of
                                                   toxicant in dilution water that is lethal to
                                                   50 percent of the test organisms during
                                                   continuous exposure for a specified
                                                   period of time,  based on data from one
                                                   experiment. This may be supplemented,
                                                   in fish tests, with effects on behavior.
                                                   The ECso for macroinvertebrates is an
                                                   estimate  of the  concentration  of  test
                                                   material that results in the immobiliza-
                                                   tion of 50 percent of the test organisms
                                                   during continuous  exposure for a
                                                   specified  period of time in one experi-
                                                   ment. Immobilization is defined as  lack
                                                   of movement except for minor activity of
                                                   appendages. This measured effect is
                                                   used because death  is not  always
                                                   easily  determined with some inverte-
                                                   brates.
                                                     In algal tests  the principal criterion of
                                                   toxicity is the effect on growth during

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 Table 1.    Level 1 Bioassay Sample Requirements

         Source                     Sample
                             Description
                                   Characteristics
Air
  Gas/Vapor (Non-
   particulate laden)

  Gaseous Streams
  (paniculate/aerosol
  laden)
  Process Fugitive
   Emissions

  Fugitive Gases
Liquids
  All Sources
Solids
  Piles. Conveyors,
  Bins. etc.
Grab
SASS Cyclone
110 um + 3 um)
SASS • Cyclone
(1 urn)

SASS - Filter
                               SASS
                               XAD-2 Resin
High-Volume
  Sampler

High-Volume
  Sampler

Grab
Grab or
Composite
Grab or
Composite
Gas


So/ids >3 um

Solids 1-3 um


Solids < 1 um


XAD-2 extract



Solids


XAD-2 extract


Gas


Untreated
Untreated solids
Organic, inorganic, or both.
Sample limited by storage capacity.

May be inorganic, organic, or both.
SASS samples may have limited size.
Same as above.
On fiberglass mat. Combine with
SASS 1 -3 um if possible.

Organics in dichloromethane.
Requires solvent exchange
before bioassay.

Organic, inorganic, or both.
Same as SASS XAD-2 Resin.
                                                                                 Same as Grab, above.
Aqueous, nonaqueous, or organic.
Solution, suspension, or slurry.
Unlimited sample except for fugitive
runoff.
Coal, ash, residues, products; organi
and inorganic, unlimited sample.
continuous exposure for a  specified
period of time. The exposure period for
the freshwater algal bioassay is  120
hours; that for the marine algal bioassay
is 96  hours.  The  96- or 120-hour
effective concentration.  (ECso),  the
concentration in which algal  growth is
inhibited by 50  percent as compared
with growth in the control, is statistically
estimated. For samples which stimulate
algal growth, the stimulatory concen-
tration  (SC20) is calculated. The 96- or
120-hour SCao is defined as the concen-
tration  causing a stimulation  in growth
of 20 percent relative to the control after
96  or  120 hours of exposure.  Other
related criteria which may be useful are
the effects  on  rates  of growth, on
maximum  standing crops, and on algal
biomass at the end of the assay.
  It may aIso be possible to establish the
approximate  concentration of test
material which produces no observable
deleterious effect by any of the criteria
under study, which is the No Observed
Effect Concentration (NOEC).
  Since the reporting for each test is
unique, evaluation criteria  given for
         each test in the Level 1 manual are used
         to rank  the  relative  toxicity of  test
         samples in the various tests.
           The recommended test organisms in
         freshwater tests are the alga Selenas-
         trum capricornutum,   juvenile fathead
         minnow Pimephales promelas,  and
         early  instars of Daphnia magna.  The
         recommended test period is 120 hours
         for the algal test, 96 hours for the fish
         study, and 48  hours  for the daphnid
         study. Thus, the principal finding
         obtained from an algal study is the 120-
         hour ECso or SC2o; from the fish study,
         the 96-hour LCso; and from the daphnid
         study, the 48-hour ECso.
           The  suggested test organisms in
         marine tests are the alga Skeletonema
         costatum, the  juvenile sheepshead
         minnow Cypinodon variegatus, and the
         adult mysid Mysidopsis bah/a.  The
         primary parameters of toxicityobtained
         from a marine  algal study are the 96-
         hour ECso or SC2o; from the marine fish
         study, the  96-hour LC5o; and  from  the
         mysid study, the 96-hour ECso.
           The aquatic  tests described in this
         section are  well suited for Level 1
                       environmental  assessment  testin
                       because they develop useful informatio
                       quickly and at low cost. The charactei
                       istics of the freshwater  and  marin
                       aquatic ecological  effects  tests ar
                       summarized in Table 4. The six recorr
                       mended aquatic bioassays have bee
                       routinely used by EPA and others  1
                       monitor the biological impact of effluen'
                       on  the environment. There  alreac
                       exists a body of published  material ar
                       technical expertise which can assist
                       the application  and interpretation  <
                       Level 1  aquatic  testing.  These tes
                       measure the effect of a test material c
                       organisms that represent three succe
                       sively more complex trophic leve
                       characteristic of either fresh or marii
                       waters.  The  freshwater or  marii
                       battery of tests is selected,  based on tl
                       type of receiving water into which tl
                       effluent is  discharged. Their princif
                       limitations are (1) that they usually
                       not closely simulate the charactensti
                       of the receiving  waters into which t
                       test effluent is actually being discharge
                       and (2) that the species tested  may t
                       be representative of the most sensit

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Table 2.     Test Sample/Bioassay Compatibilities
                                                                                 Ecological Effects Bioassays3
Health Effects Bioassaysa

1. (
Sample Type
3as/ Vapor {Non-
Ames
Bc
RAM
NC
CHO
NC
WAT
NC
Aquatic
Tests'0
NC
Terrestrial Tests
PSE
R
RE
NC
IT
B
   paniculate)

2.  Liquids (<5% Solids)

   A.  Aqueous
   B.  Nonaqueous*

3.  Solids and Slurries
   f>5% Solids)
R
R
A
A
R
R
R
A
R
A
B
B
R
A
R
R
A. Soluble
B. Insoluble
C. SASS particulates
R
R
R
A
R
R
R
A
A
R
R
NC
R
R
NC
B
B
NC
R
R
NC
R
R
A
"Standard test abbreviations are:
   Ames:Ames Salmonella/m/crosome mutagenesis assay.
   RAM: Rabbit alveolar macrophage cytotoxicity assay.
   CHO: Rodent Cell clonal toxicity assay.
   WA T: Acute in vivo test in rodents (whole animal test).
   PSE:  Plant stress ethylene test.
   RS:   Root elongation test.
   IT:    Insect toxicity assay.
^Aquatic tests include marine or freshwater fish, invertebrate, and algal bioassays.
cIdentification of compatibility abbreviations:
   R:  Recommended for Level 1 environmental assessment testing.
   NC: Sample not compatible with test methodology.
   A:  Compatible with bioassay with no modifications to protocol. Not recommended for routine Level 1 testing, but may provide
       additional information.
   B:  Compatible with bioassay with modification to protocol. Not recommended for Level 1 testing.
"Nonaqueous liquids include samples with greater than 0.2 percent organics, solvent exchange samples, and sorbent resin extracts.
 Extracts must be solvent exchanged to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for testing.
  Table3.     Characteristics of Level 1 Health Effects Bioassays
                                  Salmonella
                                    Cytotoxicity Assays
Characteristic
Cell Type/ Organ System
Mutagenesis
Prokaryotic Cell-
Enteric Bacteria
Species
RAM
Eukaryotic-Primary
Rabbit Macrophage
Cells
CHO
Eukaryotic-
Hamster
Cell Line
WAT
Integrated Organ
and Tissue Systems
End Point(s) Measured
 Point Mutation
Amenable to Sample Types    Solids, Liquids,
                               Particulates
          Lethality and
            Metabolic
            Impairment

          Solids, Liquids,
            Particulates
Data Expression

Special Features
 Positive or Negative   ECso (Viability, A TP)
 Requires In Vitro
  Activation System
  to Detect Active
  Metabolites
          Especially Effective
            for Paniculate
            Samples Because
            Cells are Phagocytic
                     Cell Lethality
                     Solids, Liquids,
                       Particulates

                     ECso (Clonal)

                     Detects Effects
                       on Reproductive
                       Capacity of Cells.
                       Same Cells May Be
                       Used For SCE Assay
                                Lethality-
                                  Toxic Signs
                                Solids, Liquids,
                                  Particulates

                                LDso or Toxic Signs

                                Can Detect Complex
                                  Toxicological
                                  Phenomena that
                                  are Dependent on
                                  Interactions of
                                  Several Organ
                                  Systems

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 Table 4.     Characteristics of Level 1 Aquatic Ecological Effects Bioassays

                                                     Static Acute
 	Characteristic	          Aquatic Bioassay
                                                         Algal Bioassay
Freshwater Species


Marine Species


End Point(s) Measured

Amenable to Sample Types

Data Expression

Special Features
      Fish — Fathead Minnow,
      Invertebrate — Daphnia

      Fish — Sheepshead Minnow,
      Invertebrate — Mysidopsis

      Lethality

      Liquids, Solids (leachates)
      Can detect whole-animal
        effects on key aquatic
        ecological consumers
           Selenastrum


           Skeletonema


           Cell Population Growth

           Liquids, So/ids (leachates)

           ECsO, SC2O

           Effective measure of
             toxicity to aquatic
             producers
species native to those waters. They do,
however,  make it possible to rank
municipal and/or industrial effluents in
order of relative toxicity.

Level 1 Terrestrial  Ecological
Effects Assays
  The  Level 1   terrestrial ecological
effects tests include assays  for deter-
mining  toxicity  of complex wastes  in
plant and insect test organisms. The
tests are able to detect sublethal toxic
response to stress in plants (PSE test),
sublethal and lethal toxic responses in
germinating seeds (RE test), and acute
toxicity and reproductive impairment in
insects (IT test).
  These tests  provide a  range of
terrestrial organisms for assessing the
effect of effluent streams on the
environment. Test organisms  include
maturing  plants, germinating  seeds,
and  insects. This group of tests offers
testing capabilities for all sample types
(including gases) with the advantages of
low cost, reproducibility, and relatively
rapid performance time. The character-
istics of the terrestrial ecological effects
bioassays are summarized in Table 5. A
future goal for this manual is to include
a test procedure for  assessing the
impact  of  effluent samples on  soil
microorganisms (decomposers).
  Terrestrial ecological tests are used to
determine  the  concentration of test
material that produces a defined toxic
effect on a specified percentage of the
test  organisms  in a fixed amount  of
time. The plant-stress-ethylene (PSE)
test is designed to assess and rank the
toxic effects of  gaseous effluents on
plants by measuring the stress ethylene
of plant response and by assessing
relative  foliar injury in exposed  plants.
The root-elongation (RE) test measures
the inhibition of root elongation and
seed germination. Although both param-
eters  are observable toxic responses
and are reported, root-elongation inhi-
bition is the  preferred end point. The
concentration which inhibits root elon-
gation by 50 percent of the control (EC5o)
is estimated and used to rank effluent
samples. The  insect-toxicity  assay
measures the acute toxicity and repro-
ductive  capacity of fruit flies  treated
with environmental samples. The dose
lethal to 50 percent of the flies (LD50)
compared to  the  control is calculated
and used to rank test samples.  In the
optional fertility  test,  the effective
concentration which  reduces the  fe-
cundity  of surviving  dosed flies to 50
percent  of control  flies (EC50) is calcu-
lated.
  The Level 1 terrestrial tests represent
the state  of the art for environmental
assessment for terrestrial ecological
effects.  These tests have not been as
thoroughly validated with complex envi-
ronmental mixtures as have the  health
and aquatic ecological effects tests.

Level 1 Data Formatting and
Analysis
  Procedures are described in the Level 1
manual  so that data from all Level 1
bioassays can be organized into a
uniform evaluation format to aid in the
use and interpretation of the data. This
format is structured so that data can be
converted from the conventional  bio-
assay output into four levels of response:
Nondetectable (ND), Low (L), Moderate
(M), and High (H).
  To ensure uniform data recording and
translation of raw data into the final
summarized form, standard data record-
ing and data transition forms have been
developed 3>". Data transition forms are
used in sequence for data summary and
analysis. The critical data values
determined for each assay (MEC, ECso,
LDso,  or  LCso) are recorded on critical
data summary forms. Samples of health
effects and  aquatic ecological effects
critical data summary forms are pre-
sented. Test materials are then ranked
based on the  critical data  value;
reported  in the summary forms. Evalua
tion criteria are presented for each test
The ranking of the level of response of;
sample in each test is then recorded 01
the bioassay summary table presente<
in the manual.
Level 1 Quality Control and
Quality Assurance
Requirements
  If Level 1 assessments are to be use
as  a  basis for decisions regardm
further bioassay assessment, it will b
necessary to ensure the quality of th
test data. Quality control standardizatio
and standardized data documentatio
will contribute significantly to ensuranc
of test quality and reproducibility.
  A separate set of documents outlinir
recommended  quality control an
quality assurance procedures has bee
prepared and is available as a guide ft
laboratories  conducting Level 1 bii
assays.  The procedures described ai
consistent with the intent and requir<
ments of  the U.S. Food and Dri
Administration's (FDA's) Good Labor
tory Practice (GLP) Regulations5. The:
guides outline the basic steps involvi
in the Level  1 procedures and provii
sample quality control recording forr
for sample data collecting. The qual
control/quality assurance documer
will be especially helpful to laboraton
beginning to conduct Level 1  testing

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completeness based on the suggestions
in both the  Level 1 manual and the
quality  control and quality assurance
manual.
   In order to ensure the quality of test
 results from biological laboratories
 involved in the environmental assess-
 ment program, audit samples have been
 made available, either as blind samples
during analysis of assessment samples,
or separately as coded unknown sam-
ples. Coded laboratory quality assurance
samples have been prepared to submit
to laboratories wishing to ensure Level
 1 testing proficiency.
             In  addition to audit samples, the
           quality control and quality assurance
           manual is also designed to define the
           level  of documentation  required  to
           comply with the proposed FDA GLP
           regulations.  From time to time it will be
           necessary to review raw data and final
           bioassay reports for consistency  and

           Environmental Assessment
           Beyond Level 1

             Level  1 environmental  assessment
           should provide an  accurate ranking  of
                       emissions  of stationary sources with
                       respect  to their potential  toxicity.
                       Moreover,  the ranking should ensure
                       that the toxicity isf rom the emissions as
                       released into the environment. Level 1
                       assessment  should  also  generate
                       information concerning rate of effluent
                       discharge  into the environment and
                       environmental fate of the emission.
                         A composite of summarized bioassay
                       and chemical analysis data will provide
                       a measure of toxicity and the potential
                       for damage to the environment.  This
                       concept is outlined in Figure 2.
Table 5.    Characteristics of Level 1 Terrestrial Ecological Effects Bioassays
 Characteristic
    Plant Stress
   Ethylene Test
         Root Elongation
              Test
             Insect Toxicity
                  Test
    Species
  End Point(s)
   Measured
  Amenable to
 Sample Types

Data Expression

Special Features
Bush Bean
Metabolic stress
evidenced by
ethylene production

Gases, Liquids
Positive or Negative

Only validated
Level J Bioassay
for gases; sensitive
      Cucumber. Wheat,
      Red Clover,
      Radish, Lettuce

      Root length
      Liquids, Solids
      (leachates)
      Detects toxicity
      to terrestrial
      producers; multiple
      species
           Orosophila
           melanogaster


           Lethality, Repro-
           ductive capacity


           Liquids, Solids


           LD50

           Detects lethality to
           terrestrial consumer
           plus can provide
           data on fertility
                                         Assessment of
                                         environmental
                                              fate
             Measurement and
Emission  ^    documentation
   site         of release date
                                Bioaccumulation
                                  measurement
      Sample collection
      (define conditions)
  Level 1
. chemical _*J Discharge
 analysis*      severity
  Weighted      Quantitative
  discharge  —»• ranking of
severity fwdsj    *   toxicity
                                                   Pretest
                                                 ' processing'
* Defined in IERL-RTP Manual:
 Level 1 Environmental Assessment (Second Edition) (Reference 2)
                                    Level 1
                                   bioassays
                         Toxicity
                        definition
                                              Data
                                          normalization
                                          from pretest
                                           processing
                                                                                      I
Figure 2.  Proposed scheme for a second stage evaluation of Level 1 results.

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     References
     1. Duke, K.M., David, M.E., and Dennis,
       A.J. "IERL-RTP Procedures Manual:
       Level 1 Environmental Assessment,
       Biological Tests for Pilot Studies,"
       EPA-600/7-77-043 (NTIS PB 268484),
       Battelle-Columbus Laboratories,
       Columbus, OH, April 1977,114 pp.
     2. Lentzen,  D.E., et al. "IERL-RTP Pro-
       cedures  Manual:  Level  1 Environ-
       mental Assessment (Second Edition),"
       EPA-600/7-78-201 (NTIS PB 293795),
       Research Triangle Institute, Research
       Triangle  Park, NC, October  1978,
       279 pp.
     3. Brusick,  D.J.  "Level  1 Biological
       Testing Assessment and Data For-
       matting," EPA-600/7-80-079 (NTIS
       PB 80-184914),  Litton Bionetics,
       Inc., Kensington,  MD,  April  1980,
       100pp.
     4. Brusick, D.J., et al. "Procedures for
       Quality Control and Quality Assur-
            ance of the Level 1  Health Effects
            Bioassays," EPA Contract No. 68-
            02-2681,  Technical  Directive 403,
            Litton Bionetics, Inc.,  Kensington,
            MD, February 1982. In preparation.
5.  DHEW Food and Drug Admmistra
   tion. "Nonclinical Laboratory Studies
   Good  Laboratory Practice  Regula
   tions," Fed. Regist.  Dec. 22, Part I
   1978, pp. 59986-60020.
           D. J. Brusick and R. R. Young are with Litton Bionetics, Inc., Kensington, MD
             20895.
           Raymond G. Merrill is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
           The complete report, entitled "IERL-RTP Procedures Manual: Level 1 Environ-
             mental Assessment, Biological Tests," (Order No. PB 82-228 966; Cost:
             $13.50.  subject to change) will be available only from:
                   National Technical Information Service
                   5285 Port Royal Road
                   Springfield, VA 22161
                   Telephone: 703-487-4650
           The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
                   Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
                   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                   Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
               Postage and
               Fees Paid
               Environmental
               Protection
               Agency
               EPA 335
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
       S8S  ?8VIR*2PROTEC1ION  AGENCY
       CHICAGO  It  60604

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